Workshop _MACH Studio

During the first workshop of the year students were tasked to work from two preselected case studies and in a first instance to duplicate/copy the volumetric model in order to get a thorough understanding of the spatial complexities and opportunities. In doing so students learnt to model in rhino sub-d trough design.

From these initial duplicates students where required to start iterating the masses to personal design developments by including a structural strategy as well as 3D printed parts into the overall mass. These 3D printed parts came in the form of Mega-columns, wall sections, lost formwork, complex joinery, footings.

The floor ar�cula�on aims to guide and give direc�onality to users from one space to another. The ar�cula�on changes as they pass through spaces and archways into new pockets of space. The parallel ar�cula�on mirrors the �mber roof members above in the double height space with the curvature guiding users into other pockets and spaces around the

All teams worked in parallel on several aspects of the proposal simultaniously such as: primary and secondary structure, detailed joinery timber/ timber and timber/clay, preparation of fabrication drawings, documenting all the design iterations, documenting the fabrication process, planar and/or double curved envelope options), relation between unique pieces vs more standardised pieces.

The outcome of the workshop was then eventually built on 1/10 scale using our digital fabrication facilities.

Student work by:

1-2 _MACH Studio group: Harmandeep Sanghera, Chetan Patel, Mihriban Ustun, Agis Panagiotis 3 Mohammed Patel 4 Sribalaji Murugavel 5 Shreyans Sanjay.

Our sites this year are located on UEL`s Docklands campus. Students will identify areas on and around our own campus in order to propose novel and more sustainable architectures which suit rapidly changing demands and offer a better integration between study, research and future work whilst providing for its local community. As such it will align with our universities Vision2028 goals which contributes to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Student work by: 6 Mihriban Ustun proposes a half sunken alternative healing centre to aid those with increasing mental health issues. As such, creating an oasis of tranquility and aid. 7 Agis Panagiotis proposes a canoeing club and swimming pool over the existing edge of the docks. Energising the endless edge of the Royal docks.

8 Rackel Metrona Afat proposes to utilize hydrotherapy as a treatment program to treat mental health whilst maintaining ones general physical health. This in collaboration with the existing UEL wellbeing services. 9 Vanessa Mawoneke proposes to replace our existing nursery by a Forest school on top of our existing car park. This model of education can help children and young people to begin to place value, gain awareness and respect for the environment. Thus creating a generation that is more mindful and concious of the effects we have on nature.

10 Rafaa Abubaker Mohamed Elfatih proposes a Human library as an extention to the AVA building, making use of the diversity of educators, students, staff to provide academic, artistic, practical and technical knowledge, as well as life experience struggles and strengths.

A series of a chunk models are developed soon after the start of the second term. These do not only depict constructional material layering as they simultaneously describe chosen envelope strategies which directly influence atmosphere, climatic control and use. These same 3 dimensional chunk models ought to reflect key strategies which are applicable on the whole proposal. In this specifc case, students were looking at the relation between 3D printed concrete or clat parts and planar timber members in order to produce a complex whole.

Student work by:

11 - 12 Harmandeep Kaur Sanghera. Study of infill systems for hollow 3D printed wall sections and chunk model for the new digital making and research spaces in the AVA building.

13 Rafaa Abubaker Mohamed Elfatih. Double layered atrium condition for the human library located in the AVA building.

14 Mohammed Patel. Tripod column supporting mega longitudenal beams which act to supend the first floor structure

15 - 16 Shreyans Sanjay. Elevation and interior rendering of the centre for Education for Sustainable Development. The proposal allows every human being to acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to shape a sustainable future.Education for Sustainable Development means including key sustainable development issues into teaching and learning; for example, climate change, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity, poverty reduction, and sustainable consumption.

Unit 8

HWFI: Towards a Sustainable De-industrialization

Armor Gutierrez Rivas and Rosa Rogina

MArch Unit 8 perceives architecture as a social and political practice, and therefore promotes mobilisation of architectural thinking and making as a tool to engage with current matters of concern, both local and global. It explores how can architectural design processes be expanded beyond their conventional role and be utilised as tools for a wider social, cultural and environmental change. The unit looks more closely into territories of spatial and/or social tension and attempts to unpack and address these complex contemporary conditions. By balancing in between identified real-world context, radical imagination and environmental innovation, the students in Unit 8 are encouraged to use the identified tension as a main driver for their design proposal.

This academic year, our design projects look at alternative live-work strategies for creative industries at risk of displacement in Hackney Wick and Fish Island.Once an industrial hub, Hackney Wick remains a home to a whole host of creatives; from innovative green industries working with algae to replace plastic to start ups upcycling food and second-hand clothes. Yet, due to new waves of residential profit-led development, members of this unique ecosystem of independent businesses sharing core values of local empowerment, resource sharing and innovation are being displaced at an alarming rate.

How can Hackney Wick learn from its own intricate past and provide grounds for a new zero-carbon industry model, one that is based on alternative live-work arrangements, adaptive reuse, resource efficiency and circular economy? Can a new zero carbon industry model learn from existing flexible live-work arrangements in the area – and be adaptable, expandable and retractable? Which alternative construction methods and environmental strategies can be used as enhancers to existing meanwhile conditions while minimising local energy consumption?

By using architecture as a form of resistance, Unit 8 will research and document different ways of creative occupation locally. In order to formalise and empower these important but still temporal modes of inhabiting the city, students in unit 8 will be asked to develop a series of new typologies for a more sustainable –both socially and environmentally – live-work set up for the area leading the path for a new De-industrial Revolution.

“For some years, scaffolding boards and other ‘waste’ materials from the Olympic Park were used for mezzanine-building, warehouse modifications and much more in Hackney Wick. Almost a decade ago, Tom Fletcher created his Rejuice factory in a Fish Island warehouse, collecting discarded fruit from a wholesale market. Another warehouse-dweller I knew fantasised about closed-circuit hydroponic farms before heading to Kenya to build cooking stove fuelled by their owners’ toilet waste. The Wick was not only a playground but a testing ground too.“

Simon Cole, The Wick, 2021

Students:

Y5: Ozan Nacar, Prabesh Sherchan, Corey Smith, Mahmoud

Sayed Abdelmonem Abdellattif, Ana Paula Gomes Kouzak, Safwa Chowdhury, Gayatri Shyam Kashid, Orseer Isreal Gbashah, Rashmi Madagamage Gunathilaka

Y4: Pedro Leite, Jussiley Mendes, Oluchi Obiejesi, Yazmin Abdul Halim, Amaka Edeh, Boon Eng, Mert Erten, Louise Ripper, Slav Savov, Muayad Tuma, Akshay Pravinchandra Koli, Hari Srinivasa Reddiar Thiagarajan, Stephano Binoi Varikkanikkal

Special thanks to visiting Crits and Guests: Richard Brown (founder of Brown Urbanism), Javier Gonzalez-Adalid (Associate at Foster and Partners), Wilf Meynell (co-founder of Studio Bark), Bamdad Ayati (Material scientist, SRI), Joanne Primiano (Textiles department, UEL)

Isaie Bloch, Christoph Hadrys, Alan Chandler, Teresa Serrano and Deborah Benros

Instagram: @unit8.uel

1 On the previous page, The Only Way is Up, symbiotes Parasite re-imagining Oslo House, technical section.

The Only Way is Up explores a framework and social platform for the creative community and micro-businesses operating in HWFI to experiment, develop and fabricate different live/work typologies by injecting existing buildings and warehouses with symbiotes and parasites that would enhance, enrich and utilize the existing limited infrastructure of the area.

2 While the project re-imagines Oslo Hose as a testing ground the strategies could extrapolate to other creative venues at risk of displacement elsewhere.

3 Sectional diagrams of intervention stages. 4 Construction axo view exploring symbiotes through environmental enhancers and facade interventions. 5 Cross section indicating interventions to the existing fabric and proposed symbiotes additions.

Re-create imagines a creative hub in HWFI to exhibit, protect and support local creative industries.

The project aims to bring awareness to the social and cultural values existing in the area, taking advantage of its creative background and exhibiting the work of the existing industries and artists. The proposal accommodates different uses such as an exhibition centre for local productions, workshops that can be used by the existing residents to produce environmental enhancers for their current living conditions, as well as creating a network for the creative community. The project will also accommodate some pilot models of live-work units that can be replicated in other areas.

6 The project uses a community land trust model, where a group of local active residents will own and run the state. Modular and fast construction will serve the community and create the housing pilot models. 7 Welcoming view of the proposal from the Hertford Union Canal. 8 North-west elevation towards Queens Yard. 9 Internal views of the live-work units. 10 The open performance area, workshops and events will fund the capital loan and the residents can be involved as curators for the exhibitions, events and workshops taking place. Project and drawings by Ana Paula Gomes Kouzak.

The Pixel project offers a one-stop destination of exhibition spaces, creative venues and public meeting spaces for the consumption culture and heritage of HWFI and the wider communities, including accommodation for artist in residency and a public display of the work within the double skin façade of the building. An exposé into the exciting creative culture/community of Hackney Wick and Fish Island.

11 Environmental section indicating the relationship with the Green Way and water retention strategy. 12 Axo views indicating structural strategy. 13 Approach view highlighting the use of the double skin facade as an evolving exhibition area.

Project and drawings by Orseer Isreal Gbashah.

In The Yards aims to propose a regeneration of existing industries in 17 Main elevation showing the juxtaposition of existing and proposed The masterplan intervention is tied together by a colourful exhibition road connection, hosting a bi-annual art event run by local artists to reinforce the importance of the